MELBA IN LONDON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1060, 30 June 1910, Page 19

MELBA IN LONDON.

THE GREAT DIVA’S PLANS. Mme. Melba, on arriving in London last month, spoke of the enjoyment with which she had visited her native country- “It was,” she said to a “ Standard” representative, “ hard work for a time—nine months’ incessant touring—then a glorious rest. I have never felt in better nealth and spirits than now, and feel ready for anything. “ As to my plans, after I have finished at Covent Garden I go for a six months’ tour of Canada and the United States, beginning in September, and, later, one through the United Kingdom. So you see, I shall not be idle till the new opera season comes round- It is very gratifying to me to hear that the halls are already sold out in most of the big cities in the Dominion.”

Asked as to her project for establishing an opera season in Australia, Mme. Melba said: “I have been working out the scheme the whole time I have been away. Things have so far advanced that we have already fixed the time and place of opening our first season. That will be in Melbourne in September next year. Mr. Lemmone, who engineered my tour in Australia, has come over with me to engage artists in Europe. We are not taking back with us the first talent that comes to hand- Australia is going to have the best opera I can give her. Among those with whom I am most encouragingly negotiating are Signor Zenatello, the famous tenor; M. Plancon, the great French bass; M. Gilbert, M- Renard, and even Miss Emily Destinn ” “ And Mme. Melba herself?”

■“ Yes, and myself. We only intend, so far, opening in Melbourne and Sydney, giving six or eight weeks in each- “ The season will be entirely devoted to Italian opera. The idea has received the most enthusiastic support in Australia, where the keenness to hear opera is so great that at a concert of operatic scenes which I gave once the stalls sold for three guineas each.”